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Waking up is hard to do, but it's easier with NPR's Morning Edition. Hosts Renée Montagne and Steve Inskeep present the day's stories and news to radio listeners on the go. While they are out traveling, David Greene can be heard as regular substitute host. Matt McCleskey and the WAMU news team bring the latest news from the Washington Metro area. Jerry Edwards keeps an eye on the daily commute. Morning Edition provides news in context, airs thoughtful ideas and commentary, and reviews important new music, books, and events in the arts. All with voices and sounds that invite listeners to experience the stories.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Hopes ran high for a new era of freedom of expression after the ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. But a year later, Egypt's independent media still face challenges from the ruling military council and from self-censorship.

It starts with an ordinary legal pad made by a company that's been around for more than a century. This is the first of two stories we're doing today on Bain Capital, the private equity firm Romney helped found.

Filmmakers rely on private screening rooms to show their unfinished films to invite-only audiences. NPR's Susan Stamberg visits one screening room on Rodeo Drive, run by 97-year-old Charles Aidikoff and his grandson Josh. Four generations of Aidikoffs have worked in the projection business.

Big banks and other large investors are buying up tens of thousands of foreclosed rental properties across the country. According to tenants and regulators, they're not model landlords. Some fail to follow housing codes, leaving tenants to live without even a number to call in the most dire situations.

Superman and Batman were the big earners at the New York auction because in the pile were comics marking the debut of those superheroes. They belonged to Billy Wright of Martinsville, Va., who died in 1994. Relatives found the comics after his wife died last year.

Syrian government troops are continuing to bombard the Baba Amr neighborhood in the central city of Homs. Activists say the attacks Wednesday killed more than 80 people, including two Western journalists and a leading Syrian journalist.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in London for a conference on the future of Somalia. The Horn of Africa nation has become a lawless base for al Qaida-linked terrorists with poverty-stricken civilians caught in the cross-fire. The international community is gathering to discuss ways to get to the root causes of the issues there.

The Obama administration announced a new effort to protect online consumer privacy Thursday. Officials will ask Internet companies and privacy advocates to agree on rules to protect people from deceptive practices. The "Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights" will apply standards — albeit voluntary — for companies to follow.

Researchers say it might be because of the more temperate weather, or the nature of the flu strains now in circulation. It's been around for a year or two so a lot of people have already been exposed, and have built up a natural immunity.

The four remaining rivals for the GOP presidential nomination debated in Mesa, Ariz., Wednesday night, ahead of next week's primary. It was the first debate in which Rick Santorum was featured as the main threat to former front-runner Mitt Romney. Rep. Ron Paul kept up his own line of fire against Santorum.

Amid escalating sanctions against Iran and constant talk of war, it's helpful to understand who is calling the shots in that country. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the only man who decides if Iran reaches a deal on its nuclear program. The U.S. is trying to convince him through sanctions and diplomatic pressure.

President Obama's plan to overhaul the nation's corporate tax system would sharply cut the taxes that U.S. companies pay. But it would also eliminate many of the loopholes that help them pare down what they owe.

Members of the Saddlebrooke Republican Club outside Tucson gathered at NPR's request to watch the candidates, as they did for an earlier debate. Half the group had already voted by mail for next week's GOP primary, and they're split on who's the best candidate. But they all said they'll back whomever the party nominates.

A new report from a bipartisan group warns that with the exception of Ron Paul's plan, the GOP candidates' economic proposals would likely worsen the nation's debt problem. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget also says the candidates need to spell out specific cuts rather than offering vague targets.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti wants more transparency so he made his cabinet disclose their finances. That sparked so much interest, the government website crashed. Ministers own real estate in New York, Brussels and Paris. One made $9 million last year.

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